[Mithadan]

Alatar's vessel had now passed the three ships sailed by the Downers and Tuor and drew near Pallando's craft. It breached the surface and drew alongside the larger ship. Pallando's vessel was large, with two great masts and bore many men. The sailors hurriedly attached lines to Alatar's vessel and, with winches, drew it up onto the deck. Alatar emerged first to be greeted by another figure clad in blue robes.

Mithadan stood by the hatch and summoned Rose. "Come along, girl," he said. "Step lively." Rose slowly stepped through the hatch to stand on the deck. As she passed Mithadan, her cloak parted slightly revealing the small sword. Mithadan seized her by the shoulders and turned her sideways. He tapped her scabbard with his knife, then, with a grim look on his face, ignored the sheathed blade and pushed her slowly towards the two wizards who were talking animatedly.

A number of armed men stood nearby. Their hair unkempt and shaggy and their eyes dull. They did not look...right, as if they were not truly men but something else. Rose reached for her sword but Mithadan again took her by the shoulders and shook her. "Show some respect for your betters, Hobbit," he said loudly. "For they may yet let you live."

Pallando looked at Rose with interest. She shuddered as he regarded her with squinted eyes. He pointed his staff at her and said "So this is a Hobbit? Doesn't look like much to me. But I'm told by my brother that you may be useful. Tie her to the mast!"

Mithadan took a coil of rope from one of the sailors and, cutting off a length, tied her hands first together and then to the mast, leaving a little slack so that she might sit. Several of the sailors leered at her, but Mithadan stepped away to stand by the two Wizards.

Over the horizon, three sails appeared and Pallando's ship closed rapidly on the vessels.